Bush ‘Conscience Is Clear’ About Contra Affair

WASHINGTON —  President Bush said today that “my conscience is clear” about the Iran-Contra affair and promised to cooperate fully with congressional requests for White House documents dealing with the matter.

However, Bush said it was not clear that any documents are still within his control, adding, “I think they’re in the control and custody of the archivist.” He said he had no reason to believe that the Ronald Reagan Administration withheld any documents.

Meeting with a small group of reporters at the White House, the President stuck by his earlier refusal to discuss his role in the Iran-Contra affair. But he added, “Everything I’ve said, I’ll stand behind.”

Documents introduced at the trial of former White House aide Oliver L. North have raised new questions about Bush’s involvement, while vice president, in the Reagan Administration’s secret aid to the Contra rebels in Nicaragua.

Bush said he “might have something to say” about the Iran-Contra affair after the completion of North’s trial, which was in its final stages today. North is accused of lying to Congress and obstructing a congressional investigation, among other charges.

The President has declined in recent days to field questions on Iran-Contra, saying he didn’t want to prejudice the North case. However, he said today, “Let’s put it this way, my conscience is clear.”

On other subjects Bush:

--Expressed anguish about the shelling in Lebanon, saying he wished he had “some dramatic plan the players could agree to. It’s not there.”

--Said his Administration, which is nearing the 100-day mark, is “moving reasonably well and I don’t even think in terms of 100 days.” Citing his broad budget agreement with Congress and congressional action on his plan to rescue the savings and loan industry, Bush said, “We’re making some progress.”

He added, “I don’t feel a need for some precipitous and dramatic initiative in order to salve the conscience of those who are saying you’ve got to do something in 100 days.”

--Said he has not made a decision on how to modernize the nuclear arsenal. Bush said he will be prepared “very soon to make a decision” on funding for the Star Wars anti-missile system and whether to continue deployment of the MX missile or fund development of a single-warhead Midgetman missile.